“After I left you last night I sort of hung round to see how you would come out. You were right and I was wrong. But Colonel Darringford is awful mad to think you are free. I knew you had gone to this boat, but I got snarled up and couldn’t come as quick as I wanted to. But it was well I didn’t for I ran across the colonel and that man, and heard it all fixed up between them to get rid of you. He is ready to do anything he can to beat you. You have got to look out awful sharp when you get to Landlock.” “I believe he is watching us,” whispered Dean, and it was not until they came in sight of their destination that the boys dared to exchange words again. Five minutes later the _Buoyant_ touched lightly at the pier of Landlock, and the small party of passengers went hastily ashore, glad to have reached the end of their trip. Dean and Marcus did not fail to see that Darringford’s spy was watching them closely, though the boys had not sought each other’s company. Dean had not gone far from the landing when the man accosted him, saying: “Pardon me, young man, but may I ask a favor of you?” If surprised by the boldness of this request, Dean did not show it, while he answered the other politely: “Certainly, if it is possible for me to do it.” “It is. You will stop in town to-night?” “I think I might fare worse, sir.” “Good. If you are willing to patronize a friend of mine, I wish you might stop at the Wilkins House. I am sure you will be well treated.” “I thank you, sir.” “I may not be there, as I have considerable to attend to. If you will walk along with me I will show you the way.” “But I have a little matter that needs my attention now. A little later I will try and find the place.” Dean had discovered a couple of blue-coated officials in the distance, who seemed to be waiting for some one. He quickly imagined that they were lying in wait for him! CHAPTER XXX. MARCUS DISCOVERS A CLUE. Dean Mercer’s heart beat with unwonted rapidity as he saw the officers and anticipated that they were intending to arrest him. Arrest again at that stage of his work meant defeat to all his plans. Instinctively he glanced around to see if Marcus was near, but his friend was nowhere in sight. “It will take but a minute to go to the house,” said the man. “Once you have engaged your room you can attend to--think those officers are after you?” The sudden break in his speech was occasioned by the fact that the officials had started toward them. Perhaps the man employed by Colonel Darringford was afraid his prey would escape him, for, without further warning, he seized Dean by the collar, hissing between his clenched teeth: “You don’t get away!” At this critical moment, just as Dean was about to try and break away from the clutch of the man, some one shouted from the next street: “Help! murder! thieves!” The officers stopped, looking wildly in the direction of the cries: “Help! I’ve got him!” came the voice. “Hel--lp!”